Keep cleared AA upgrades after crediting flight to Alaska?
Sep 28, 2020, 12:46 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
Nobody here can advise on this beyond telling you what the rules are.
The same people who would have laughed at the prospect of account closings over credit card bonuses or repricing hidden city tickets and then settling in order for the passenger to retain his account, now know that it's in the cards.
Will it work? What are the consequences? Those are giant if's. I would only do this if I didn't care about being bounced to a lousy seat in Y and don't care about the AA account. But, I'm not a risk taker.
The same people who would have laughed at the prospect of account closings over credit card bonuses or repricing hidden city tickets and then settling in order for the passenger to retain his account, now know that it's in the cards.
Will it work? What are the consequences? Those are giant if's. I would only do this if I didn't care about being bounced to a lousy seat in Y and don't care about the AA account. But, I'm not a risk taker.
I think there’s no harm in asking at the airport. They may (although I think unlikely) make the OP choose between the upgrade and the miles, but if not I still think the chances of adverse consequences if they say yes are pretty close to zero.
I've asked for exception to the rules before — attention AA: about 25 years ago I politely asked a gate agent to upgrade a girlfriend on an award ticket, and she agreed to do it 😳; I’ve also gotten double upgrades. I’ve never lost sleep over this, and I don’t think these one-off situations are what AA is going after.
Sep 28, 2020, 2:20 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
Assuming you are asking about complimentary/sticker upgrades IME you will either 1) lose the upgrade if you do this through reservations, or 2) almost surely be told no-can-do if you attempt to change your FF number after check-in.
If you are asking about confirmed (i.e., mileage or SWU) upgrades, you should be able to do it before you take the first flight, but it will depend on the competence and willingness of the agent. Again, IME, once you begin the first AA leg, you will be locked in for the remainder of the AA segments.
If you are asking about confirmed (i.e., mileage or SWU) upgrades, you should be able to do it before you take the first flight, but it will depend on the competence and willingness of the agent. Again, IME, once you begin the first AA leg, you will be locked in for the remainder of the AA segments.